KC>Tim had a good suggestion, but perhaps a little involved
KC>for a project with your time constraints.
That may be true. It does depend opon the skills of the builder.
I don't consider myself a crackerjack craftsman; but this project
only took me about 40 hours to build and install. It's been online
for about two years and I estimate that I have saved at least $250 in
propane costs.
I like projects that 'pay their way.' [grin]
A school project would add one extra layer of icening on the cake.
Now, there is another phase of this project that I hope will make it
more effient. Where I live in nothern California, the solar energy is
just now beginning to fall below our daily consumption.
You, see even now our gas how water heater is shut off. Even in
November - as long as the sun shines - we get enough hot water for
showers, the dishwsher, and etc. We use about 40-galons a day.
However, nowadays the water is not very warm in the mornings. You
see, it gets lost overnight being that they are much colder now.
I want to build a motorized cover, but I haven't decided on the
sensor mechanism. A clock would require frequent overrides, but your
black plate suggestion is something worth pondering over.
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